# NTSB CEN10CA481: Oliver A Bruce RV6-A, N50BU, Trenton, MO, August 15, 2010 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: August 15, 2010, 13:20 local (18:20 UTC) - Place: Trenton, MO - Coordinates: 40.08361, -93.590553 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.0836&lon=-93.5906&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Takeoff: Miscellaneous/other](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious, 1 minor - Status: Completed, report December 20, 2010 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: FAA-Kansas City FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 76976 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN10CA481 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/76976/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN10CA481 ## Probable cause The canopy opening shortly after takeoff due to an inadequate repair and subsequent failure of the canopy latch, resulting in a emergency landing. Contributing to the accident was the lack of available runway remaining for the forced landing. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Windows-windshield system: flight compartment windows](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01035610): Aircraft › Aircraft structures · Failure (probable cause); cases with it: [Oliver A Bruce RV6-A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01035610/cases.md?model=05608DI), [All aircraft, 42 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01035610/cases.md) - [Maintenance: repair](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02062015): Personnel issues › Task performance · Owner/builder (probable cause); cases with it: [Oliver A Bruce RV6-A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02062015/cases.md?model=05608DI), [All aircraft, 99 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02062015/cases.md) - [Airport facilities/design: runway/landing area length](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03017037): Environmental issues › Operating environment · Contributed to outcome (probable cause); cases with it: [Oliver A Bruce RV6-A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03017037/cases.md?model=05608DI), [All aircraft, 34 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03017037/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Takeoff: Miscellaneous/other](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900) (defining event); cases with it: [Oliver A Bruce RV6-A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900/sequence.md?model=05608DI), [All aircraft, 1,556 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900/sequence.md) - [Takeoff-rejected takeoff: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300); cases with it: [Oliver A Bruce RV6-A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=05608DI), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md) - [Takeoff-rejected takeoff: Nose over/nose down](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096); cases with it: [Oliver A Bruce RV6-A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md?model=05608DI), [All aircraft, 2,287 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that the cockpit canopy latch broke at the conclusion of the previous flight. The latch was welded and reinstalled prior to the accident flight. After takeoff, the repaired canopy latch failed as the airplane climbed through 50 feet above ground level (agl). The pilot attempted to land on the remaining runway due to the possibility of the canopy separating and striking the empennage in flight. However, after landing, he was unable to stop on the remaining runway and the airplane struck a ditch during the runway overrun. The nose landing gear subsequently collapsed and the airplane nosed over. ## Factual narrative The pilot reported that the cockpit canopy latch had broken at the conclusion of the previous flight. The latch was welded and reinstalled prior to the accident flight. After takeoff, the repaired canopy latch failed as the airplane climbed through 50 feet above ground level. The pilot attempted to land on the remaining runway due to the possibility of the canopy separating and striking the empennage in flight. However, he was unable to stop on the remaining runway and the airplane struck a ditch during the runway excursion. The nose landing gear subsequently collapsed and the airplane nosed over. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N50BU](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N50BU-2014-04-01), registration cancelled 2014-04-01, S/N 24441, built 2000 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: OLIVER A BRUCE RV6-A - Registry model: [Oliver A Bruce RV6-A](https://openairdocs.org/model/oliver-a-bruce-rv6-a) (registry code 05608DI) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming O&VO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-vo-360-series) (registry code 41514, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 24441 - Airframe hours: 771 - Engines: LYCOMING O-360 SER 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Condition, March 23, 2010 - Departed: TRX, Trenton, MO - Destination: IKV, Ankeny, IA - Airport: TRX, Trenton Muni, runway 36, 4,307 × 75 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 72; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review November 18, 2008; seat: left; flight hours: 750 total, 19 in this make and model, 750 as pilot in command, 19 in the last 90 days, 9 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 340° at 7 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 82 °F, dew point 61 °F - Altimeter: 30.05 inHg - Observed at: IRK, 48 nm away ## FAA reports on this event (1) The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs). - [Accident 20100815043979A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20100815043979A), Aug 15, 2010: Oliver A Br RV6-A, Trenton, MO, Substantial damage. Initiating departure roll on runway 36, the pilot broke the canopy latch in an attempt to completely close the canopy. He continued the rotation and climb-out… From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.